Mariama Whyte Eyes Spot on NBC’s ‘The Voice’

1997 Wooster graduate needs your vote to advance to L.A. audition

WOOSTER, Ohio — There’s a voice on the Internet that hopes to become “The Voice” on NBC’s hit television show. That voice belongs to Mariama Whyte, a 1997 College of Wooster graduate, who recently appeared on Cleveland affiliate WKYC as one of the Top 10 performers from an audition involving more than 80 contestants.

Whyte, who majored in English and was a member of the Gospel Choir while at Wooster, has become more deeply involved in music during the past decade with roles in the Broadway-touring productions of "The Color Purple" and "The Lion King." She also has an album on iTunes called "Find Your Light.” Now she is hoping to make it big by advancing to a VIP audition for “The Voice” in Los Angeles, but she’ll have to finish in the Top 3 of the Cleveland competition first.

Friends and fellow alumni can make that dream come true by viewing her performance of “Amazing Grace” and casting a vote for her online. Voting ends Thursday (Aug. 25) at noon.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to win a trip to Hollywood for an exclusive audition for ‘The Voice,’” said Whyte. “I’m hoping that members of the Wooster community can help me get there.”